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Chapter 40




“Don’t be sick. I beg of you please don’t get hurt.”
‘You heard everything.’
From the maids. The story of entering the Lion Mountains alone.
Dylan sounded worried.
“I’m not hurt, Your Highness.”
“I’m upset.”
“It wasn’t that difficult either.”
“…”
When Charlize tried to reassure him, Dylan lifted his head, holding Charlize’s ankle.
Like a beast who listened well, his  clear black hair was seen. It sparkled, resembling the decadence of the night. It was blinding.
With their eyes entangled, Dylan’s fingers rubbed Charlize’s feet. It was soft as if a snail crawled over them. At his subtle touch, her shoulders flinched.
“I think that’s a relief.”
At Dylan’s voice, Charlize suddenly wanted to scratch her cheek.
The contact with water. It felt strange. The Crown Prince carried on with his words.
“I also believe that you have been protected by God.”
It felt dangerous.
She felt like she was going to keep getting sucked in. Her breath became hot with a strange sense of incompatibility.
The feet of a young noble lady was recognized as precious. Because it was always covered with dresses and shoes.
Maybe that was why her cheeks were hot, Charlize thought.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
The strange time was over. Dylan took out a towel. He put Charlize’s feet on his thighs and wiped them.
At the tip of her toes, she felt his hard thigh muscles. Dylan even put shoes on her feet.
His kindness had always been the same, but why did it feel it different at the moment?
Charlize tried hard to suppress the strange feeling coming up inside her.
“I missed the Master’s voice. It feels like my own palace when I’m listening to it.”
It must be an illusion but it sounded like a passionate confession.
“So did I, Your Highness.”
“Did you feel offended?”
Dylan said abruptly. Charlize hesitated. Maybe it sounded like she was in a bad mood because he prepared a birthday party.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t get permission from Master first.”
“If you get permission from me first. It wouldn’t be a surprise party.”
Dylan was still looking at Charlize, kneeling.
He felt a sense of consideration. Ever since Charlize became his teacher, she had casually skipped her birthday  every single time.
Even if Dylan had wanted to greet her, she refused. So perhaps he thought this was his chance.
“Then…”
Dylan hesitated.
“Would it be okay if I throw your birthday party as scheduled?”
“Of course.”
Charlize smiled softly.
It wasn’t until Charlize’s permission was given that Dylan’s expression loosened. Dylan was sorry, but Charlize was grateful.
Because she felt like he wanted to give it to herself.
Dylan hesitated for a moment.
‘Should I tell her the recent news from the Grand Duke?’
A request to withhold the application for expulsion. Of course, he refused, but he thought for a moment whether or not he should inform Charlize.
Yet Dylan didn’t open his mouth.
For no reason. He didn’t want to bother her. His Master’s family turned away from her without exception even on her birthday.
‘She should only hear good words.’
Dylan thought.
For the first time, he wanted to give her a proper celebration.
Charlize rose from her seat.
After a long time, she was about to go back to her room and take a rest.
Like the last greeting, Dylan’s voice detained Charlize.
“If I may say a word in advance.”
Charlize looked at Dylan.
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Thank you.”
The boy’s vigilance was now gone. His stiffened Adam’s apple could be seen.
As Dylan opened the parlor door, there was a bulging tendon in his arm seen through his tight shirt.
“Thank you for being born, Master.”
His voice echoed in her ears.
The words that Charlize had never once heard.
He engraved it plainly.
***
The birthday party was luxurious.
Noble food. The beautiful melody played by the invited musicians. The atmosphere of the palace was decorated with excellent magic.
She also liked the dagger necklace that Dylan gave her as a gift.
The employees liked Charlize. Even though it must have been hard preparing for the party, they always smiled shyly when they see her.
She got quite a lot of gifts.
A bath bomb made by Mary. A scarf hand-embroidered by a young noble lady. Leather gloves for winter, a horse-riding whip, and a luxury note that indicated it wouldn’t get wet easily in water.
‘So this is how it feels.’
Charlize was also a Lady. She knew what a luxurious birthday party of a young noble lady was. But it was the first time she realized she could feel such warmth.
‘I feel a tickling sensation somewhere.’
Charlize held Dylan’s gift.
It was a simple necklace that wasn’t too gaudy. It would be good to wear it every day.
As Charlize pulled the end of the necklace, it quickly became a dagger. The work of jewel crafting and dagger smelting were very different fields.
It would have been custom-made by a person who was good at both of these things, so he would have spent a lot of time and money on this.
A sword had always kept Charlize’s mind at ease, but it was especially true for this one.
‘Is it because Dylan gave it to me?’
The texture was exceptionally good.
“Why aren’t you inside the palace, but in the corner of the garden?”
“…Are you looking for me?”
Charlize, who was sitting on the bench, raised her head. Dylan’s hair was a little messy. Did he worry because she disappeared without a word?
Dylan slowly approached with a relieved face.
“Everyone’s looking for Master.”
“I wanted to be alone for a while, so I came out here.”
Of course, the party felt good and it was a completely different experience. But she had gotten tired of dealing with many people.
As if he understood Charlize, Dylan naturally sat next to her on the bench.
“Is it the necklace?”
The numerous gifts Charlize received were beautifully packed in a box.
As she cherished the dagger necklace given by Dylan, the Crown Prince’s expression was eased smoothly.
“I’m glad you like it.”
“…Yes.”
Charlize put the dagger back into the necklace. The privilege of holding a real sword in front of the Crown Prince.
It was no different from making a public announcement in front of everyone. The Crown Prince was extremely fond of the Grandmaster.
“It would be useful for dangerous situations.”
Dylan took the necklace while watching Charlize. Then he bent his head down and lowered his posture.
In an instant, their lips got closer. Their breaths narrowed.
Dylan’s fingers grazed the back of her neck faintly. His skin that touched her skin felt hot. Dylan, who put on the necklace, entangled his eyes with Charlize.
“It looks good on you, Master.”
Charlize only blinked, and said nothing.
Because he was too close.
Dylan breathed back the breath that Charlize exhaled, and he stepped back. Charlize inadvertently held the necklace by hand.
“Would you like to go back inside?”
“…Yes, Your Highness.”
Dylan took Charlize’s hand and led her inside. Most of the employees at the party were friendly to Charlize.
However, a few young noble ladies stayed at the party like an uninvited guest. Countess waved her fan and said,
“By the way, how can the Grandmaster prove that her swordsmanship is not dangerous? It’s usually a necklace, but isn’t it still a sword?”
“That’s right. What if His Highness gets hurt by mistake? If she receives a gift like that.”
The favor from the royal family was originally attracted much gossip. Dylan looked at Charlize.
“Master.”
“No, Your Highness. I’ll take care of it.”
Charlize didn’t need Dylan’s help. She had the ability to collect insults against herself on her own.
Somehow, leaving Dylan stunned, Charlize approached the young noble ladies.
“That’s an interesting story.”
Charlize spoke.
“Oh my god, Gra, Grandmaster.”
“Ha, happy birthday.”
The young noble ladies became very surprised.
As they were just talking behind her back, they felt guilty and looked down.
The position of the Grandmaster of the Crown Prince was very high. Although Charlize applied for an application for expulsion, the Lady from the Ronan family was still nobility.
Most of them bit their lips faintly as if they had made a mistake, but the Countess, who led the gossip, raised her chin.
The Countess asked,
“Did you hear it, Grandmaster?”
Charlize furrowed her eyes and smiled.
At that moment, the Countess, who saw Charlize’s smile in front of her, flinched. It was a common reaction for those who were easily fascinated by Charlize, but the Countess’s pride became hurt so she crumpled her forehead.
“That’s right, so I won’t apologize. Even the Grandmaster couldn’t deny it either. Even if His Highness had given it to you first, if you are an intelligent person. It’s the right to have rejected the gift.”
It had been a while since she loved such a gift, so Charlize had no intention of letting the Countess talk more.
Charlize immediately suggested.
“Then shall I show you?”
Charlize looked indifferent.
“Whether my swordsmanship is dangerous or not.”
“I, in here you mean?”
The Countess, who proudly puffed out her chest and pretended to be strong, became flustered by Charlize’s words.
“Yes. Not to hurt anyone, not to touch anything. Would you acknowledge it if I were to perform a sword dance?”
The Countess used her brain to think. There were many obstacles inside. Including the attendants, there were countless people around.
Bowls and wine glasses on the table. There were also gift boxes given to Charlize everywhere.
And she was going to do a sword dance here?
‘It can’t be possible.’
The Countess thought. She couldn’t back down.
Because many people at the party were already paying attention to the conversation.
“Sure, let’s see it.”
The Countess doubted Charlize’s ability. Charlize was dressed in a fancy dress as the main character of the party. She didn’t believe she would be able to wield a sword in that dress.
Charlize’s gaze reached the knight who was guarding the party. The knight, who understood her gesture, approached her and stretched out his sword.
It was a big long sword.
The people who had heard the conversation became nervous. But Charlize calmly asked the Countess.
“Can I borrow this for a moment?”
Charlize said, pointing to the choker of the Countess’s neck. Swept in the mood, the Countess handed over the choker.
Charlize closed her eyes proudly.
And tied the lace around her eyes.
It was a red lace.
“She’s doing a sword dance without being able to see?”
Someone murmured quietly.
Shortly after, Charlize pulled the long sword from the knight. Without hesitation, her quick movement was accurate.
The musicians had stopped playing for a moment due to the disturbance of the main character of the party.
“Continue playing.”
The Crown Prince commanded the musicians.
They noticed and started playing the music again.
Passionate but decadent. A beautiful melody began to spread inside the party hall. The maids who had admired Charlize looked at her anxiously.
The noble guests also looked at Charlize nervously. They couldn’t dare express their opinion on what the Crown Prince had already implicitly allowed.
Charlize raised her sword.
“…”
Everyone held their breath.
Charlize recalled the innocence of a fairy that occasionally came to her. Like the time she danced the sword dance under the moonlight, Charlize began to dance.
Everyone’s eyes slowly grew wider.
***